“No.” She struggled to keep in her disappointment. It almost strangled her with the strain of holding it back. “But neither do I want to be just a pawn in someone’s life. If you never intended to care about me any further than what I could do for you, why go to that auction? Why bother spending so much on something you didn’t want?”
His focus remained steady. “I have been asking myself that very question,” he returned softly, and something told Fleur it was the truth.
She leaned her head back against the squabs. “It appears we are both stuck in a situation of our own making then. The question now is, how do we resolve it?”
CHAPTER12
Fleur was weary when they returned to Chelsea Street. She told herself not to look toward Miss Wilson’s townhouse but she found her gaze drifting that way regardless of her intentions to remain strong against the pull. She saw several lights shining in the windows and wondered what Flavian was doing in that moment. He had never been the type to read, and unless he was doing something to occupy his time, his boredom could be relentless.
She could withstand the misery she was currently feeling, the utter loneliness, if she thought he was truly happy. She wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of having Harriette in their lives but she would endure it if she knew that Flavian’s heart truly was content.
As she walked up the steps to Drake’s residence, it was as if her feet were encased in lead. She wanted nothing more than to take to her bed and sleep for a week.
Perhaps it would be best if she didn’t wake up at all.
As her slipper touched the base of the staircase, a strong, warm hand touched her shoulder. “You should know that things are becoming more…complicated with you here.”
She fought the urge to close her eyes and lean back into his embrace. As angry as she was with him for being so cold and calculated all the time, she missed that connection to someone. She had always had her brother to lean on when it mattered, when the world became too much to bear.
She nodded her head in response, not sure what else she was supposed to do.
However, when she started to move forward, the pressure increased, holding her in place. “Fleur…”
She held her breath for countless seconds, the time passing slowly. But when it was obvious he wasn’t going to say anything further, she allowed her shoulders to sag. “Good night, Drake.”
This time, he let her go.
When she reached her bedchamber, she was surprised to see Erin sitting in a chair and working on some embroidery. When Fleur entered, the maid quickly rose to her feet. “Miss Davies. I thought you might need some help undressing.”
Rather than argue or claim that she just wanted to be alone, she found the assistance was actually quite welcome. “Thank you.”
Once the gown and undergarments had been discarded and Fleur donned a new silk nightdress, the maid departed. Fleur slipped beneath the covers, eager to close her eyes and lose herself to dreamland.
Unfortunately, as much as she tried to relax enough to do so, she found it quite hopeless. The fire had burned down in the grate but she wasn’t cold. In truth, it was as if her body was lit on fire.
She got up and began to pace the room. Perhaps she could tire herself enough for sleep to claim her. But it was apparent that was not going to work either. She was too restless, too aware of the man sleeping under the same roof for her to get any rest.
Sinking down in the single chair that Erin had vacated earlier, Fleur laid her head back against the edge of the chair and stared at the ceiling. It was plain and white with very little to recommend it, and yet, she found it somewhat comforting. There was something about the simple design that reminded her of the house she had grown up in with Flavian and their parents in Oxfordshire.
Her heart ached, yearning to return to those days of carefree abandon. She had thought times were hard as a child but they had been absent of the cares she suffered as an adult.
She released a heavy sigh just as the door opened and a man was silhouetted in the frame.
Drake.
He glanced about the room until he spied her. “Are you well? I could hear movement…”
His voice trailed off as if he were uncertain of his welcome. Odd, since he never seemed to have a care for that before. “I’m fine. I just couldn’t sleep.”
“I would offer you a book to read but I’m afraid the library is rather ill stocked at the moment. I can see to it that some novels are procured?—”
She waved a hand and he fell silent. “Don’t worry yourself on my behalf.” She got up and moved toward the bed. “I am starting to get a little sleepy now,” she lied. “I’m sorry to have disturbed you.”
He reached out and grabbed her wrist. “Fleur.”
All he had to say was her name before she spun around and found herself in his arms. Their lips instantly fused together, drawn into a passionate kiss, as Drake held her close enough that she could feel his heart pounding in rhythm to her own.
She moaned as her breasts were crushed against his chest, finding the pressure completely enticing. She had never been this close to a man before and she was finding it quite enthralling.
